Russia Unlikely to Support Western Military Intervention in Libya, Deputy FM

“We have seen this all a couple of years ago and know the Security Council decision was used in the exact opposite way than was stated in the document,” Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Gennady Gatilov, told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti and “therefore I do not think that this time we will bless NATO actions in this country.”

The Russian official was speaking about the increasing demand from western countries for a military intervention in Libya to thwart the Islamist threat and migration phenomenon. A resolution for the intervention is currently being negotiated according to the French ambassador to the UN Francois Delattre.

However, the UN Security Council on Monday “unanimously” approved a resolution calling for the unity of armed groups in Libya to “unite and strengthen national security forces to defend the country from terrorism” citing it as “a critical step towards tackling Libya’s political, security, humanitarian, economic and institutional challenges and to combat the threat of terrorism.”

Russian state-controlled media have regularly stated that the overthrow of Gadhafi was a mistake and alleged that western countries exploited the UN Resolution 1973 of 11 March 2011 to act beyond imposing a no-fly zone to protect civilians to the extent of helping to end Gadhafi’s regime.

The resolution approved on Monday urged for support to the UN-backed Government of National Accord and for the UN “to re-establish a permanent presence” in the country. Almost all the international institutions have moved their residence and operations to neighboring Tunisia while waiting for calm to return to Libya.

As part of efforts to bring peace and stability to the North African country, the mandate of the UN support mission in Libya, UNSMIL, was extended for six months, until December 15, and its prerogatives were extended to assistance in securing uncontrolled arms and related material and countering its proliferation. The mission is also tasked to support key Libyan institutions and support, if requested, the provision of essential services.